Snap-clasp



(No Model.)

B. e. GAILLAO.

SNAP CLASP.

No. 304.634. Patented Sept. 2; 1884'.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE GEORGE GAILLAO, OF CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO SAMUEL -E. BENTLEY, OF SAME PLACE, AND. JAMES PILLSBURY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SNAP-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 304,634, dated September 2, 1884.

Application filed June 24, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EUGENE GEORGE GAIL- LAC, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chelsea, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snap-Clasps, of which the following is a specification. reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. My invention relates to improvements in IO snap-clasps in which hinged jaws are kept open by a spring and closed by a lever.

The objects of the invention are to provide means for hanging hats and coats up or to keep the former from being blown away by the wind. I 5 Heretofore snap-clasps for use upon the person in sustaining garments and analogous purposes have been known in which a single cam is employed, and which only holds the clasp fixedly in one position. My clasp being illtended for use in holding hats, coats, or other articles not upon the person, it is desirable that the clasp be held fixedly in both positions, and for this purpose I have provided two cams, whose function and use will be under- 2 5 stood from the following detailed description. The accompanying drawings illustrate what I consider the best means for carrying the invention into practice.

Figure 1 is a View of a bird form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the plain clasp, it being closed. Fig. 3 is plan view of plain clasp with the upper jaw removed. Fig.

4 is a sectional view of the bird form.

The jaws A and B are hinged together by 5 the pin 0, passing through perforations in the ears D. Around the pin 0 is wound the spring E, one end of which is braced against the jaw Aand the other against the jaw B on the forward side of the pin 0, thus pressing 0 in different directions and keeping the forward ends spread apart. At the rear end of the lower jaw, B, the metal is cut to form a slot, the sides of which are turned over, embracing the pin F and fixedly holding the (No model.)

same. This pin forms abearing for the lever 5 G. The lever G is provided with the ring H, for the purpose to be set forth hereinafter, and the cam I. At the bearing of said lever is a second and smaller cam, K. In the bird form or any other form the parts remain substantially the same.

The operation of the invention is as follows: The normal condition of thejaws at the forward end being open or apart, the hat-brim. coat-oollar, or whatever is desired is placed between them, and then the lever G is pressed down, forcing, by means of the cam I, the jaws shut at the forward end, as shown in drawings, Fig. 2. The end of the cam I passes the line of direct pressure when said cam strikes against the edge of the slot cut in jaw B, and thus is held firmly by the pressure of thejaw A, thus locking itself. The small cam K is for the purpose of holding the lever-arm G down against the top of the jaw A when the 65 clasp is not in use, thus keeping it from catching in anything and closing the jaws. The

ring H is provided for the convenience of Working the device and fastening a ribbon or string to it.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- The combination of the pivoted spring-jaws A and B of the lever G, pivotally connected to one of said jaws, and the cam I,for closing the clamp end of said jaws, and the cam K, for holding the lever G in a position to allow the clamp end of said jaws to open, both of said cams being rigidly connected to and operated by the lever G. substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I. affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE GEORGE .GAILLAO.

IVitnesses:

GEo. N. J ENKINs, H. B. RITCHIE. 

